Apparatus and method for checking valid data in memory system

ABSTRACT

A memory system includes a memory device including plural memory blocks storing a data, and a controller configured to divide a memory block into plural logical unit blocks, compare an estimated average obtained from a valid page count of the memory block with a map data count of each logical unit block to generate a comparison result and to identify a select logical unit block among the plural logical unit blocks, check whether map data is duplicated in a reverse order of storing data in the selected logical unit block, and unmap old map data of the duplicated map data in the selected logical unit block.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0113160, filed on Sep. 20, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the invention relate to a memory system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for determining a target (or victim) memory block for garbage collection using a count of valid data stored in the memory blocks of a non-volatile memory device.

BACKGROUND

Recently, the computer environment paradigm has shifted to ubiquitous computing, which enables a computer system to be accessed anytime and everywhere. As a result, the use of portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, notebook computers and the like is increasing. Such portable electronic devices typically use or include a memory system that uses or embeds at least one memory device, i.e., a data storage device. The data storage device can be used as a main storage device or an auxiliary storage device of a portable electronic device.

Unlike a hard disk, a data storage device used as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is advantageous in that it has excellent stability and durability because it has no mechanical driving part (e.g., a mechanical arm), and has high data access speed and low power consumption. Examples of such a data storage device include a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory device, a memory card having various interfaces, and a solid state drive (SSD).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates garbage collection in a memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a data processing system including a memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a memory system, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, which performs a plurality of command operations corresponding to a plurality of commands;

FIG. 6 illustrates a memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of managing metadata in a controller;

FIG. 8 shows how the controller executes program instructions and controls blocks;

FIG. 9 illustrates a method, performed by the controller, for controlling map data;

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of operating a memory system in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIGS. 11 to 19 are block diagrams schematically illustrating other data processing systems, each of which includes a memory system, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples of the disclosure are described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Aspects and features of the invention, however, may be embodied in different ways to form other embodiments, including variations of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the invention is not to be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the described embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete and fully conveys the disclosure to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Throughout the disclosure, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures and examples of the disclosure. It is noted that reference to “an embodiment,” “another embodiment” or the like does not necessarily mean only one embodiment, and different references to any such phrase are not necessarily to the same embodiment(s).

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and so on may be used herein to identify various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element that otherwise have the same or similar names. Thus, a first element in one instance could be termed a second or third element in another instance without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and, in some instances, proportions may have been exaggerated in order to clearly illustrate features of the embodiments. When an element is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, it should be understood that the former can be directly connected or coupled to the latter, or electrically connected or coupled to the latter via one or more intervening elements therebetween. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “between” two elements, it may be the only element between the two elements, or one or more intervening elements may also be present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, singular forms are intended to include the plural forms and vice versa, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated elements and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs in view of the present disclosure. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the disclosure and the relevant art, and not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. The invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known process structures and/or processes have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the invention.

It is also noted, that in some instances, as would be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, a feature or element described in connection with one embodiment may be used singly or in combination with other features or elements of another embodiment, unless otherwise specifically indicated.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a memory system, a data processing system, and an operation process or a method, which can quickly and reliably process data into a memory device by reducing operational complexity and performance degradation of the memory system, thereby enhancing usage efficiency of the memory device.

Embodiments of the disclosure simplify a control operation for selecting and determining which block is unnecessary in order to release data of unnecessary blocks among blocks that have been allocated for data storage in a memory device and make them free blocks. Based on simplified operation, the embodiments can provide a method and an apparatus which can reduce resources (e.g., time) required to select and determine at least one unnecessary block in the memory device.

In an embodiment, a memory block having an increased data storage capacity in a large-capacity memory device can be divided into a plurality of unit blocks. When it is determined that a memory block cannot be programmed anymore with new data without an erase operation, an estimated average valid page count of each unit block can be compared with a count of pieces of map data for associating a physical address with a logical address. If it is determined that a ratio of valid data is lower than a threshold based on a comparison result, it is possible to provide a method and an apparatus for scanning data of a corresponding unit block and releasing allocation of the data.

In an embodiment, a memory system can include a memory device including plural memory blocks storing a data; and a controller configured to divide a memory block into plural logical unit blocks, compare an estimated average obtained from a valid page count of the memory block with a map data count of each logical unit block to generate a comparison result and to identify a select logical unit block among the plural logical unit blocks, check whether map data is duplicated in a reverse order of storing data in the selected logical unit block, and unmap old map data of the duplicated map data in the selected logical unit block.

By way of example but not limitation, the controller can be configured to perform the compare operation when the memory block is in a state in which no new data is programmed without an erase operation. A piece of the data can be programmed from the first page to the last page of the memory block sequentially.

The map data count can be the number of pieces of map data regarding physical to logical (P2L) information which associates a logical address with a physical location in the selected logical unit block. The memory block includes a group of memory cells that are erasable together as a unit, and the selected logical unit block is identified by a set number of map data each assigned to a distinct group of memory cells that are programmable together as a unit.

The controller can be configured to store the map data in another memory block, which is physically distinguishable from the memory block, after unsnapping the old map data.

The controller can be configured to calculate the estimated average by dividing a valid page count of the memory block by the number of logical unit blocks in the memory block. In an example, when the map data count of a logical unit block is larger than the estimated average, the controller is configured to perform the check and the unmap operations against that logical unit block. In another example, when the map data count of a logical unit block is smaller than or equal to the estimated average, the controller is configured to skip the check and the unmap operations with respect to that logical unit block.

The controller can be configured to determine whether the comparison result is larger than the threshold when plural program operations are requested repeatedly regarding a same logical address corresponding to at least one command received from a host.

In another embodiment, a method for operating a memory system can include dividing a memory block storing data into plural logical unit blocks; comparing an estimated average obtained from a valid page count of the memory block with a map data count of each logical unit block to generate a comparison result for each logical unit block; determining, for each logical unit block based on the corresponding comparison result, whether the map data count of that logical unit block is larger than a threshold to identify at least one select logical unit block; checking whether map data is duplicated in a reverse order of storing data in the at least one select logical unit block; and unmapping old map data of the duplicated map data in the at least one select logical unit block.

The method can further include determining whether the memory block is in a closed state in which no new data is programmed without an erase operation. A piece of the data can be programmed from the first page to the last page of the memory block sequentially. The comparing step can be performed when the memory block becomes in the closed state.

The map data count is the number of pieces of map data regarding physical to logical (P2L) information which associates a logical address with a physical location in the at least one select logical unit block. The memory block includes a group of memory cells that are erasable together as a unit, and the at least one selected logical unit block is identified by a set number of map data each assigned to a distinct group of memory cells that are programmable together as a unit.

The method can further include storing the map data in another memory block, which is physically distinguishable from the memory block, after unmapping the old map data.

The comparing the valid page count includes: calculating the estimated average by dividing the valid page count of the memory block by the number of logical unit blocks in the memory block.

For example, when the map data count of a logical unit block is larger than the estimated average, the checking and the unmapping are performed against that logical unit block. In another example, when the map data count of a logical unit block is smaller than or equal to the estimated average, the checking and the unmapping are not performed on that logical unit block.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for controlling a memory system can include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to: divide a memory block storing a data into plural logical unit blocks; compare an estimated average calculated by dividing a valid page count of the memory block by the number of the logical unit blocks with a map data count of each logical unit block to generate a comparison result for each logical unit block; determine, for each logical unit block based on the corresponding comparison result, whether the map data count of that logical unit block is larger than a threshold to identify at least one select logical unit block; check whether map data is duplicated in a reverse order of storing data in the at least one select logical unit block; and unmap old map data of the duplicated map data in the at least one select logical unit block.

In another embodiment, a memory system can include a nonvolatile memory device including an operation block divided into plural unit blocks each comprising plural pages; and a controller configured to: control the nonvolatile memory device to perform a data operation to one or more pages within the operation block; update map data for each unit block according to the data operation; and remove obsolete pieces of the map data indicating the same logical address for the unit block when the operation block becomes closed and a number of pieces of the map data for the unit block becomes greater by a threshold than an estimated average number of valid pages of the unit block. A piece of the map data can represent mapping relationship between logical and physical addresses of a page storing data.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

In FIG. 1, a memory system 110, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, includes a controller 130 and a memory device 150. The memory system 110 may be engaged with another device, e.g., a computing device.

Referring to FIG. 1, garbage collection (GC) can be performed by the memory system itself without commands or instructions transmitted from a host 102 (see FIG. 2). The controller 130 in the memory system 110 can read user data from a plurality of data blocks 40_1 of the memory device 150, temporarily load the user data in the memory 144 disposed within, or directly engaged with and controlled by, the controller 130, and program the user data loaded in the memory 144 into a free block 40_2 of the memory device 150. Here, the plurality of data blocks 40_1 may include blocks that can no longer be programmed with new data without an erase.

In accordance with an embodiment, the controller 130 can use the memory 144 to temporarily store valid data recognized and selected for the garbage collection operation until the valid data is programmed into the free block 40_2.

For achieving garbage collection, the controller 130 should distinguish valid data from invalid data which are stored in the plurality of data blocks 40_1. The information regarding a valid page count (VPC) corresponding to each data block 40_1 indicates how much valid data (or number of valid pages) are stored in each data block 40_1, but may not indicate which data or which page is valid. Therefore, the controller 130 may use operation information item 58 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) including map data to determine which data (or which page) is valid. For example, the operation information item 58 can include at least one of the valid page count or other operation information such as metadata or map data associated with data stored in the corresponding memory block. If valid data, which should be transferred or stored into the free block 40_2 for the garbage collection operation, can be easily distinguished, resources (e.g., time and power) can be reduced.

In accordance with an embodiment, the controller 130 may include operation information checking circuitry (OICC) 124. The OICC 124 can determine whether a specific page to which the data is programmed in the plurality of data blocks 40_1 is valid, that is, whether the data stored in the page is valid, based on the operation information item 58 including the map data.

As used in the disclosure, the term ‘circuitry’ can refer to any or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions); and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover, for example and if applicable to a particular claim element, an integrated circuit for a storage device.

Data can be programmed sequentially from the first page to the last page in the data block 40_1. When data is programmed on the last page of a memory block, the memory block changes from an open state in which new data can be programmed to a closed state in which no new data can be programmed. When a specific block among the data blocks 40_1 is in a closed state, the OICC 124 can sequentially compare the number of pieces of map data corresponding to data stored in each logical unit block with a valid page count of the corresponding logical unit block to determine a validity of the data.

Each data block 40_1 in the memory device 150 has a sufficiently large storage capacity, such that each data block 40_1 can be divided into plural logical unit blocks. Different methods may be used to divide each data block 40_1. For example, one data block may be divided into several logical unit blocks based on structure of the memory device 150, size of the map data, position of the map data, or the like. Each memory block in the memory device 150 can program data in a plurality of page units. The size of data that can be stored in each page may vary according to the type of memory cells included in each memory block. When the map data is c in a bitmap format, an area corresponding to one or more times of the map data can be determined as a size of the logical unit block. By way of example but not limitation, the memory block can include at least two logical unit blocks. The memory block can be a distinct group of memory cells that are erasable together as a unit. The logical unit block can be identified by a set number of map data each assigned to a distinct group of memory cells that are programmable together as a unit.

In FIG. 2, a data processing system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure is described. Referring to FIG. 2, the data processing system 100 may include a host 102 engaged or in communication with a memory system 110.

The host 102 may include, for example, a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, an MP3 player and a laptop computer, or an electronic device such as a desktop computer, a game player, a television (TV), a projector and the like.

The host 102 also includes at least one operating system (OS), which can generally manage, and control, functions and operations performed in the host 102. The OS can provide interoperability between the host 102 engaged with the memory system 110 for the user of the memory system 110. The OS may support functions and operations corresponding to user's requests. By way of example but not limitation, the OS can be divided into a general operating system and a mobile operating system according to mobility of the host 102. The general operating system may be split into a personal operating system and an enterprise operating system according to system requirements or a user's environment. The personal operating system, including Windows and Chrome, may provide general support services. But the enterprise operating systems can be specialized for securing and supporting high performance, including Windows servers, Linux, Unix and the like. Further, the mobile operating system may include an Android, an iOS, a Windows mobile and the like. The mobile operating system may provide support services or functions for mobility (e.g., a power saving function). The host 102 may include a plurality of operating systems. The host 102 may execute multiple operating systems in communication with the memory system 110, corresponding to a user's request. The host 102 may transmit a plurality of commands corresponding to the user's requests to the memory system 110, thereby performing operations corresponding to commands within the memory system 110. Handling plural commands in the memory system 110 is described later, in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The memory system 110 may operate or perform a specific function or operation in response to a request from the host 102 and, particularly, may store data to be accessed by the host 102. The memory system 110 may be used as a main memory system or an auxiliary memory system of the host 102. The memory system 110 may be implemented with any of various types of storage devices, which may be electrically coupled with the host 102, according to a protocol of a host interface. Non-limiting examples of suitable storage devices include a solid state drive (SSD), a multimedia card (MMC), an embedded MMC (eMMC), a reduced size MMC (RS-MMC), a micro-MMC, a secure digital (SD) card, a mini-SD, a micro-SD, a universal serial bus (USB) storage device, a universal flash storage (UFS) device, a compact flash (CF) card, a smart media (SM) card, a memory stick, and the like.

The storage devices for the memory system 110 may be implemented with a volatile memory device, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a static RAM (SRAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory device such as a read only memory (ROM), a mask ROM (MROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magneto-resistive RAM (MRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM or ReRAM) and a flash memory.

The memory system 110 may include a controller 130 and a memory device 150. The memory device 150 may store data to be accessed by the host 102. The controller 130 may control storage of data in the memory device 150.

The controller 130 and the memory device 150 may be integrated into a single semiconductor device, which may be included in any of the various types of memory systems exemplified above.

By way of example but not limitation, the controller 130 and the memory device 150 may be integrated into a single semiconductor device for improving an operation speed. When the memory system 110 is used as an SSD, the operating speed of the host 102 connected to the memory system 110 can be improved more than that of the host 102 implemented with a hard disk. In another embodiment, the controller 130 and the memory device 150 may be integrated into one semiconductor device to form a memory card, such as a smart media card (SM, SMC), a memory stick, a multimedia card (MMC, RS-MMC, MMCmicro), a SD card (SD, miniSD, microSD, SDHC), or a universal flash memory.

The memory system 110 may be configured as a part of, for example, a computer, an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), a workstation, a net-book, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a web tablet, a tablet computer, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, an e-book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a portable game player, a navigation system, a black box, a digital camera, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) player, a 3-dimensional (3D) television, a smart television, a digital audio recorder, a digital audio player, a digital picture recorder, a digital picture player, a digital video recorder, a digital video player, a storage configuring a data center, a device capable of transmitting and receiving information under a wireless environment, one of various electronic devices configuring a home network, one of various electronic devices configuring a computer network, one of various electronic devices configuring a telematics network, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, or one of various components configuring a computing system.

The memory device 150 may be a nonvolatile memory device and may retain data stored therein even while an electrical power is not supplied. The memory device 150 may store data provided from the host 102 through a write operation, while providing data stored therein to the host 102 through a read operation. The memory device 150 may include a plurality of memory blocks 152, 154, 156, each of which may include a plurality of pages. Each of the plurality of pages may include a plurality of memory cells to which a plurality of word lines (WL) are electrically coupled. The memory device 150 also includes a plurality of memory dies, each of which includes a plurality of planes, each of which includes a set of the plurality of memory blocks 152, 154, 156. In addition, the memory device 150 may be a non-volatile memory device, for example a flash memory, wherein the flash memory may be a three-dimensional stack structure.

The controller 130 may control overall operations of the memory device 150, such as read, write, program and erase operations. For example, the controller 130 may control the memory device 150 in response to a request from the host 102. The controller 130 may provide the data, read from the memory device 150, with the host 102. The controller 130 may store the data, provided by the host 102, into the memory device 150.

The controller 130 may include a host interface (I/F) 132, a processor 134, an error correction code (ECC) unit 138, a power management unit (PMU) 140, a memory interface (I/F) 142 and a memory 144, all operatively coupled via an internal bus.

The host interface 132 may process commands and data provided from the host 102, and may communicate with the host 102 through at least one of various interface protocols such as universal serial bus (USB), multimedia card (MMC), peripheral component interconnect-express (PCI-e or PCIe), small computer system interface (SCSI), serial-attached SCSI (SAS), serial advanced technology attachment (SATA), parallel advanced technology attachment (PATH), small computer system interface (SCSI), enhanced small disk interface (ESDI) and integrated drive electronics (IDE). In accordance with an embodiment, the host interface 132 is for exchanging data with the host 102, which may be implemented through firmware called a host interface layer (HIL).

The ECC unit 138 can correct error bits of the data to be processed in (e.g., outputted from) the memory device 150, which may include an ECC encoder and an ECC decoder. Here, the ECC encoder can perform error correction encoding of data to be programmed in the memory device 150 to generate encoded data into which a parity bit is added and store the encoded data in memory device 150. The ECC decoder can detect and correct errors contained in a data read from the memory device 150 when the controller 130 reads the data stored in the memory device 150. In other words, after performing error correction decoding on the data read from the memory device 150, the ECC unit 138 can determine whether the error correction decoding has succeeded and output an instruction signal (e.g., a correction success signal or a correction fail signal). The ECC unit 138 can use the parity bit, which is generated during the ECC encoding process, for correcting the error bit of the read data. When the number of the error bits is greater than or equal to a threshold number of correctable error bits, the ECC unit 138 may not correct error bits but may output an error correction fail signal indicating failure in correcting the error bits.

The ECC unit 138 may perform an error correction operation based on a coded modulation such as a low density parity check (LDPC) code, a Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) code, a turbo code, a Reed-Solomon (RS) code, a convolution code, a recursive systematic code (RSC), a trellis-coded modulation (TCM), a Block coded modulation (BCM), and so on. The ECC unit 138 may include all or some of circuits, modules, systems or devices for performing the error correction operation based on at least one of the above described codes.

The PMU 140 may manage an electrical power provided in the controller 130.

The memory interface 142 may serve as an interface for handling commands and data transferred between the controller 130 and the memory device 150, to allow the controller 130 to control the memory device 150 in response to a request delivered from the host 102. The memory interface 142 may generate a control signal for the memory device 150 and may process data entered into or outputted from the memory device 150 under the control of the processor 134 in a case when the memory device 150 is a flash memory and, in particular, when the memory device 150 is a NAND flash memory. The memory interface 142 can provide an interface for handling commands and data between the controller 130 and the memory device 150, for example, operations of NAND flash interface, in particular, operations between the controller 130 and the memory device 150. In accordance with an embodiment, the memory interface 142 can be implemented through firmware called a Flash Interface Layer (FIL) as a component for exchanging data with the memory device 150.

The memory 144 may support operations performed by the memory system 110 and the controller 130. The memory 144 may store temporary or transactional data occurred or delivered for operations in the memory system 110 and the controller 130. The controller 130 may control the memory device 150 in response to a request from the host 102. The controller 130 may deliver data read from the memory device 150 into the host 102. The controller 130 may store data entered through the host 102 within the memory device 150. The memory 144 may be used to store data required for the controller 130 and the memory device 150 to perform operations such as read operations or program/write operations.

The memory 144 may be implemented with a volatile memory. The memory 144 may be implemented with a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or both. Although FIG. 1 shows the second memory 144 disposed within the controller 130, the invention is not limited to that arrangement. That is, the memory 144 may be disposed within or externally to the controller 130. For instance, the memory 144 may be embodied by an external volatile memory having a memory interface transferring data and/or signals between the memory 144 and the controller 130.

The memory 144 can store data necessary for performing operations such as data writing and data reading requested by the host 102 and/or data transfer between the memory device 150 and the controller 130 for background operations such as garbage collection and wear levelling as described above. In accordance with an embodiment, for supporting operations in the memory system 110, the memory 144 may include a program memory, a data memory, a write buffer/cache, a read buffer/cache, a data buffer/cache, a map buffer/cache, and the like.

The processor 134 may be implemented with a microprocessor or a central processing unit (CPU). The memory system 110 may include one or more processors 134. The processor 134 may control the overall operations of the memory system 110. By way of example but not limitation, the processor 134 can control a program operation or a read operation of the memory device 150, in response to a write request or a read request entered from the host 102. In accordance with an embodiment, the processor 134 may use or execute firmware to control the overall operations of the memory system 110. Herein, the firmware may be referred to as a flash translation layer (FTL). The FTL may perform an operation as an interface between the host 102 and the memory device 150. The host 102 may transmit requests for write and read operations to the memory device 150 through the FTL.

The FTL may manage operations of address mapping, garbage collection, wear-leveling and the like. Particularly, the FTL may load, generate, update, or store map data. Therefore, the controller 130 may map a logical address, which is entered from the host 102, with a physical address of the memory device 150 through the map data. The memory device 150 may be a general storage device to perform a read or write operation because of the address mapping operation. Also, through the address mapping operation based on the map data, when the controller 130 tries to update data stored in a particular page, the controller 130 may program the updated data in another empty page and may invalidate old data of the particular page (e.g., update a physical address, corresponding to a logical address of the updated data, from the previous particular page to the another newly programmed page) due to a characteristic of a flash memory device. Further, the controller 130 may store map data of the new data into the FTL.

For example, when performing an operation requested from the host 102 in the memory device 150, the controller 130 uses the processor 134. The processor 134 engaged with the memory device 150 can handle instructions or commands corresponding to an inputted command from the host 102. The controller 130 can perform a foreground operation as a command operation, corresponding to an command inputted from the host 102, such as a program operation corresponding to a write command, a read operation corresponding to a read command, an erase/discard operation corresponding to an erase/discard command and a parameter set operation corresponding to a set parameter command or a set feature command with a set command.

For another example, the controller 130 may perform a background operation on the memory device 150 through the processor 134. By way of example but not limitation, the background operation for the memory device 150 includes an operation for copying and storing data stored in a select memory block, among the memory blocks 152, 154, 156 to another target memory block, e.g., a garbage collection (GC) operation. The background operation can also include an operation to move or swap data stored in at least one of the memory blocks 152, 154, 156 to at least another of the memory blocks 152, 154, 156, e.g., a wear leveling (WL) operation. During a background operation, the controller 130 may use the processor 134 for storing the map data stored in the controller 130 to at least one of the memory blocks 152, 154, 156, e.g., a map flush operation. A bad block management operation of checking for bad blocks among the plurality of memory blocks 152, 154, 156 is another example of a background operation performed by the processor 134.

In accordance with an embodiment, the OICC 124 shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented through at least one processor 134 and at least one memory 144 in the controller 130 described in FIG. 2.

In the memory system 110, the controller 130 performs a plurality of command operations corresponding to a plurality of commands entered from the host 102. For example, program operations may be performed in response to program commands, read operations may be performed in response to read commands, and erase operations may be performed in response to erase commands. Such operations may be performed sequentially, randomly or alternatively. To that end, the controller 130 can determine which channel(s) or way(s) for connecting the controller 130 to a plurality of memory dies included in the memory 150 is/are proper or appropriate for performing each operation. The controller 130 can send or transmit data or instructions via determined channel(s) or way(s) for performing each operation. The plurality of memory dies can transmit an operation result via the same channel(s) or way(s), respectively, after each operation is complete. Then, the controller 130 may transmit a response or an acknowledge signal to the host 102. In an embodiment, the controller 130 can check a status of each channel or each way. In response to a command entered from the host 102, the controller 130 may select at least one channel or way based on the status of each channel or each way so that instructions and/or operation results with data may be delivered via selected channel(s) or way(s).

By way of example but not limitation, the controller 130 can recognize statuses regarding a plurality of channels (or ways) associated with a plurality of memory dies in the memory device 150. The controller 130 may determine a current status of each channel or each way as a busy state, a ready state, an active state, an idle state, a normal state or an abnormal state. The controller's determination of which channel or way an instruction (and/or a data) is delivered through can be associated with a physical block address, e.g., to which die(s) the instruction (and/or the data) is delivered. The controller 130 can refer to descriptors delivered from the memory device 150. The descriptors can include a block or page of parameters that describe something about the memory device 150, which is a data with a set format or structure. For instance, the descriptors may include device descriptors, configuration descriptors, unit descriptors, and the like. The controller 130 can refer to, or use, the descriptors to determine which channel(s) or way(s) an instruction or a data is exchanged via.

A management unit (not shown) may be included in the processor 134. The management unit may perform bad block management of the memory device 150. The management unit may find bad memory blocks in the memory device 150, which are in unsatisfactory condition for further use, as well as perform bad block management on the bad memory blocks. When the memory device 150 is a flash memory, for example, a NAND flash memory, a program failure may occur during the write operation, for example, during the program operation, due to characteristics of NAND logic function. During the bad block management, the data of the program-failed memory block or the bad memory block may be programmed into a new memory block. The bad blocks may seriously aggravate the utilization efficiency of the memory device 150 having a 3D stack structure and the reliability of the memory system 110. Thus, reliable bad block management may enhance or improve performance of the memory system 110.

Referring to FIG. 3, a controller in a memory system in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure is described in detail. The controller 130 cooperates with the host 102 and the memory device 150. The controller 130 may include a host interface 132, a flash translation layer (FTL) 40, a memory interface 142 and a memory 144.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment, the ECC unit 138 described in FIG. 2 may be included in the flash translation layer (FTL) 40. In another embodiment, the ECC unit 138 may be implemented as a separate module, a circuit, firmware or the like, which is included in, or associated with, the controller 130.

The host interface 132 is for handling commands, data, and the like transmitted from the host 102. By way of example but not limitation, the host interface 132 may include a command queue 56, a buffer manager 52 and an event queue 54. The command queue 56 may sequentially store commands, data, and the like received from the host 102 and output them to the buffer manager 52 in an order in which they are stored. The buffer manager 52 may classify, manage or adjust the commands, the data, and the like, which are received from the command queue 56. The event queue 54 may sequentially transmit events for processing the commands, the data, and the like received from the buffer manager 52.

A plurality of commands or data of the same characteristic, e.g., read or write commands, may be transmitted from the host 102, or commands and data of different characteristics may be transmitted to the memory system 110 after being mixed or jumbled by the host 102. For example, a plurality of commands for reading data (read commands) may be delivered, or commands for reading data (read command) and programming/writing data (write command) may be alternately transmitted to the memory system 110. The host interface 132 may store commands, data, and the like, which are transmitted from the host 102, to the command queue 56 sequentially. Thereafter, the host interface 132 may estimate or predict what kind of internal operation the controller 130 will perform according to the characteristics of commands, data, and the like, which have been entered from the host 102. The host interface 132 can determine a processing order and a priority of commands, data and the like, based at least on their characteristics. According to characteristics of commands, data, and the like transmitted from the host 102, the buffer manager 52 in the host interface 132 is configured to determine whether the buffer manager should store commands, data, and the like in the memory 144, or whether the buffer manager should deliver the commands, the data, and the like into the flash translation layer (FTL) 40. The event queue 54 receives events, entered from the buffer manager 52, which are to be internally executed and processed by the memory system 110 or the controller 130 in response to the commands, the data, and the like transmitted from the host 102, so as to deliver the events into the flash translation layer (FTL) 40 in the order received.

In accordance with an embodiment, the host interface 132 described in FIG. 3 may perform the functions of the controller 130 described in FIG. 1. The host interface 132 may set the first memory 104 in the host 102 as a slave and add the first memory 104 as an additional storage space which is controllable or usable by the controller 130.

In accordance with an embodiment, the flash translation layer (FTL) 40 can include a host request manager (HRM) 46, a map manager (MM) 44, a state manager 42 and a block manager 48. The host request manager (HRM) 46 can manage the events entered from the event queue 54. The map manager (MM) 44 can handle or control a map data. The state manager 42 can perform garbage collection or wear leveling. The block manager 48 can execute commands or instructions onto a block in the memory device 150.

By way of example but not limitation, the host request manager (HRM) 46 can use the map manager (MM) 44 and the block manager 48 to handle or process requests according to the read and program commands, and events which are delivered from the host interface 132. The host request manager (HRM) 46 can send an inquiry request to the map data manager (MM) 44, to determine a physical address corresponding to the logical address which is entered with the events. The host request manager (HRM) 46 can send a read request with the physical address to the memory interface 142, to process the read request (handle the events). On the other hand, the host request manager (HRM) 46 can send a program request (write request) to the block manager 48, to program data to a specific empty page (no data) in the memory device 150, and then, can transmit a map update request corresponding to the program request to the map manager (MM) 44, to update an item relevant to the programmed data in information of mapping the logical-physical addresses to each other.

Here, the block manager 48 can convert a program request delivered from the host request manager (HRM) 46, the map data manager (MM) 44, and/or the state manager 42 into a flash program request used for the memory device 150, to manage flash blocks in the memory device 150. In order to maximize or enhance program or write performance of the memory system 110 (see FIG. 2), the block manager 48 may collect program requests and send flash program requests for multiple-plane and one-shot program operations to the memory interface 142. In an embodiment, the block manager 48 sends several flash program requests to the memory interface 142 to enhance or maximize parallel processing of the multi-channel and multi-directional flash controller.

On the other hand, the block manager 48 can be configured to manage blocks in the memory device 150 according to the number of valid pages, select and erase blocks having no valid pages when a free block is needed, and select a block including the least number of valid pages when it is determined that garbage collection is necessary. The state manager 42 can perform garbage collection to move the valid data to an empty block and erase the blocks containing the moved valid data so that the block manager 48 may have enough free blocks (empty blocks with no data). If the block manager 48 provides information regarding a block to be erased to the state manager 42, the state manager 42 could check all flash pages of the block to be erased to determine whether each page is valid. For example, to determine validity of each page, the state manager 42 can identify a logical address recorded in an out-of-band (OOB) area of each page. To determine whether each page is valid, the state manager 42 can compare the physical address of the page with the physical address mapped to the logical address obtained from the inquiry request. The state manager 42 sends a program request to the block manager 48 for each valid page. A mapping table can be updated through the update of the map manager 44 when the program operation is complete.

The map manager 44 can manage a logical-physical mapping table. The map manager 44 can process requests such as queries, updates, and the like, which are generated by the host request manager (HRM) 46 or the state manager 42. The map manager 44 may store the entire mapping table in the memory device 1.50 (e.g., a flash/non-volatile memory) and cache mapping entries according to the storage capacity of the memory 144. When a map cache miss occurs while processing inquiry or update requests, the map manager 44 may send a read request to the memory interface 142 to load a relevant mapping table stored in the memory device 150. When the number of dirty cache blocks in the map manager 44 exceeds a certain threshold, a program request can be sent to the block manager 48 so that a clean cache block is made and the dirty map table may be stored in the memory device 150.

On the other hand, when garbage collection is performed, the state manager 42 copies valid page(s) into a free block, and the host request manager (HRM) 46 can program the latest version of the data for the same logical address of the page and currently issue an update request. When the status manager 42 requests the map update in a state in which copying of valid page(s) is not completed normally, the map manager 44 may not perform the mapping table update. It is because the map request is issued with old physical information if the status manger 42 requests a map update and a valid page copy is completed later. The map manager 44 may perform a map update operation to ensure accuracy only if the latest map table still points to the old physical address.

In accordance with an embodiment, at least one of the state manager 42, the map manager 44 or the block manager 48 can include the OICC 124 shown in FIG. 1.

The memory device 150 can include a plurality of memory blocks. The plurality of memory blocks can be any of different types of memory blocks such as a single level cell (SLC) memory block, a multi level cell (MLC) Cell) memory block or the like, according to the number of bits that can be stored or represented in one memory cell. Here, the SLC memory block includes a plurality of pages implemented by memory cells, each storing one bit of data. The SLC memory block can have high data I/O operation performance and high durability. The MLC memory block includes a plurality of pages implemented by memory cells, each storing mufti-bit data (e.g., two bits or more). The MLC memory block can have larger storage capacity for the same space compared to the SLC memory block. The MLC memory block can be highly integrated in a view of storage capacity. In an embodiment, the memory device 150 may be implemented with MLC memory blocks such as an MLC memory block, a triple level cell (TLC) memory block, a quadruple level cell (QLC) memory block and a combination thereof. The MLC memory block may include a plurality of pages implemented by memory cells, each capable of storing 2-bit data. The triple level cell (TLC) memory block can include a plurality of pages implemented by memory cells, each capable of storing 3-bit data. The quadruple level cell (QLC) memory block can include a plurality of pages implemented by memory cells, each capable of storing 4-bit data. In another embodiment, the memory device 150 can be implemented with a block including a plurality of pages implemented by memory cells, each capable of storing 5-bit or more bit data.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the memory device 150 is embodied as a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory such as a NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory and the like. Alternatively, the memory device 150 may be implemented by at least one of a phase change random access memory (PCRAM), a ferroelectrics random access memory (FRAM), a spin injection magnetic memory (STT-RAM), and a spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM), or the like.

FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically illustrate performing a plurality of command operations corresponding to a plurality of commands in the memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, a plurality of write commands are received from the host 102 and program operations corresponding to the write commands are performed. In another example, a plurality of read commands are received from the host 102 and read operations corresponding to the read commands are performed. In still another example, a plurality of erase commands are received from the host 102 and erase operations corresponding to the erase commands are performed. In yet another example, a plurality of write commands and a plurality of read commands are received together from the host 102 and program operations and read operations corresponding to the write commands and the read commands are performed.

In one embodiment, write data corresponding to a plurality of write commands entered from the host 102 are stored in the buffer/cache in the memory 144 of the controller 130, the write data stored in the buffer/cache are programmed to and stored in the plurality of memory blocks in the memory device 150, map data are updated in correspondence to the stored write data in the plurality of memory blocks, and the updated map data are stored in the plurality of memory blocks. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of write commands entered from the host 102 are performed. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of read commands are entered from the host 102 for the data stored in the memory device 150, data corresponding to the read commands are read from the memory device 150 by checking the map data of the data corresponding to the read commands, the read data are stored in the buffer/cache in the memory 144 of the controller 130, and the data stored in the buffer/cache are provided to the host 102. In other words, read operations corresponding to a plurality of read commands entered from the host 102 are performed. In addition, a plurality of erase commands are received from the host 102 for the memory blocks included in the memory device 150, memory blocks are checked corresponding to the erase commands, the data stored in the checked memory blocks are erased, map data are updated corresponding to the erased data, and the updated map data are stored in the plurality of memory blocks in the memory device 150. Namely, erase operations corresponding to a plurality of erase commands received from the host 102 are performed.

Further, while it is described below that the controller 130 performs command operations in the memory system 110, it is to be noted that, as described above, the processor 134 in the controller 130 may perform command operations in the memory system 110, through, for example, an FTL (flash translation layer). Also, the controller 130 programs and stores user data and metadata corresponding to write commands entered from the host 102, in select memory blocks, among the plurality of memory blocks in the memory device 150, reads user data and metadata corresponding to read commands received from the host 102, from select memory blocks, and provides the read data to the host 102, or erases user data and metadata, corresponding to erase commands entered from the host 102, from select memory blocks among the plurality of memory blocks in the memory device 150.

Metadata may include first map data including logical/physical (L2P: logical to physical) information (logical information) and second map data including physical/logical (P2L: physical to logical) information (physical information), for data stored in memory blocks corresponding to a program operation. Also, the metadata may include information on command data corresponding to a command received from the host 102, information on a command operation corresponding to the command, information on the memory blocks of the memory device 150 for which the command operation is to be performed, and information on map data corresponding to the command operation. In other words, metadata may include all information and data excluding user data corresponding to a command received from the host 102.

That is, when the controller 130 receives a plurality of write commands from the host 102, program operations corresponding to the write commands are performed, and user data corresponding to the write commands are written and stored in empty memory blocks, open memory blocks or free memory blocks for which an erase operation has been performed, among the memory blocks of the memory device 150. Also, first map data, including an L2P map table or an L2P map list in which logical information as the mapping information between logical addresses and physical addresses for the user data stored in the memory blocks are recorded, and second map data, including a P2L map table or a P2L map list in which physical information as the mapping information between physical addresses and logical addresses for the memory blocks stored with the user data are recorded, are written and stored in empty memory blocks, open memory blocks or free memory blocks among the memory blocks of the memory device 150.

Here, in the case where write commands are entered from the host 102, the controller 130 writes and stores user data corresponding to the write commands in memory blocks. The controller 130 stores, in other memory blocks, metadata including first map data and second map data for the stored user data. Particularly, corresponding to the data segments of the stored user data, the controller 130 generates and updates the L2P segments of first map data, and the P2L segments of second map data as the map segments of map data among the meta segments of metadata. The controller 130 stores the map segments in the memory blocks of the memory device 150. The map segments stored in the memory blocks of the memory device 150 are loaded in the memory 144 included in the controller 130 and are then updated.

Further, in the case where a plurality of read commands are received from the host 102, the controller 130 reads data corresponding to the read commands, from the memory device 150, stores the read data in the buffers/caches included in the memory 144 of the controller 130. The controller 130 provides the data stored in the buffers/caches, to the host 102, by which read operations corresponding to the plurality of read commands are performed.

In addition, in the case where a plurality of erase commands is received from the host 102, the controller 130 checks memory blocks of the memory device 150 corresponding to the erase commands, and then, performs erase operations for the memory blocks.

When command operations corresponding to the plurality of commands received from the host 102 are performed while a background operation is performed, the controller 130 loads and stores data corresponding to the background operation, that is, metadata and user data, in the buffer/cache included in the memory 144 of the controller 130, and then stores the data, that is, the metadata and the user data, in the memory device 150. Herein, by way of example but not limitation, the background operation may include a garbage collection operation or a read reclaim operation as a copy operation, a wear leveling operation as a swap operation or a map flush operation, For instance, for the background operation, the controller 130 may check metadata and user data corresponding to the background operation, in the memory blocks of the memory device 150, load and store the metadata and user data stored in certain memory blocks in the buffer/cache in the memory 144 of the controller 130, and then store the metadata and user data in other memory blocks.

In the memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, in the case of performing command operations as foreground operations, and a copy operation, a swap operation and a map flush operation as background operations, the controller 130 schedules queues corresponding to the foreground operations and the background operations, and allocates the scheduled queues to the memory 144 included in the controller 130 and the memory included in the host 102. In this regard, the controller 130 assigns identifiers (IDs) by respective operations for the foreground operations and the background operations to be performed in the memory device 150, and schedules queues corresponding to the operations assigned with the identifiers, respectively. In the memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, identifiers are assigned not only by respective operations for the memory device 150 but also by functions for the memory device 150, and queues corresponding to the functions assigned with respective identifiers are scheduled.

In the memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller 130 manages the queues scheduled by the identifiers of respective functions and operations to be performed in the memory device 150. The controller 130 manages the queues scheduled by the identifiers of a foreground operation and a background operation to be performed in the memory device 150. In the memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, after memory regions corresponding to the queues scheduled by identifiers are allocated to the memory 144 included in the controller 130 and the memory included in the host 102, the controller 130 manages addresses for the allocated memory regions. The controller 130 performs not only the foreground operation and the background operation but also respective functions and operations in the memory device 150, by using the scheduled queues.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 130 performs command operations corresponding to a plurality of commands received from the host 102, for example, program operations corresponding to a plurality of write commands entered from the host 102. The controller 130 programs and stores user data corresponding to the write commands in memory blocks of the memory device 150. Also, corresponding to the program operations with respect to the memory blocks, the controller 130 generates and updates metadata for the user data and stores the metadata in the memory blocks of the memory device 150.

The controller 130 generates and updates first map data and second map data which include information indicating that the user data are stored in pages included in the memory blocks of the memory device 150. That is, the controller 130 generates and updates L2P segments as the logical segments of the first map data and P2L segments as the physical segments of the second map data, and then stores the logical and physical segments in pages included in the memory blocks of the memory device 150.

For example, the controller 130 caches and buffers the user data corresponding to the write commands, received from the host 102, in a first buffer 510 included in the memory 144 of the controller 130. Particularly, after storing data segments 512 of the user data in the first buffer 510 used as a data buffer/cache, the controller 130 stores the data segments 512 in the first buffer 510 in pages in the memory blocks of the memory device 150. As the data segments 512 of the user data corresponding to the write commands received from the host 102 are programmed to and stored in the pages in the memory blocks, the controller 130 generates and updates the first map data and the second map data. The controller 130 stores the first and second map data in a second buffer 520 in the memory 144 of the controller 130. Particularly, the controller 130 stores L2P segments 522 of the first map data and P2L segments 524 of the second map data for the user data in the second buffer 520 as a map buffer/cache. As described above, the L2P segments 522 of the first map data and the P2L segments 524 of the second map data may be stored in the second buffer 520 of the memory 144 in the controller 130. A map list for the L2P segments 522 of the first map data and another map list for the P2L segments 524 of the second map data may be stored in the second buffer 520. The controller 130 stores the L2P segments 522 of the first map data and the P2L segments 524 of the second map data, which are stored in the second buffer 520, in pages included in the memory blocks of the memory device 150.

Moreover, the controller 130 performs command operations corresponding to a plurality of commands received from the host 102, for example, read operations corresponding to a plurality of read commands received from the host 102. Particularly, the controller 130 loads L2P segments 522 of first map data and P2L segments 524 of second map data as the map segments of user data corresponding to the read commands, in the second buffer 520, and checks the L2P segments 522 and the P2L segments 524. Then, the controller 130 reads the user data stored in pages of corresponding memory blocks among the memory blocks of the memory device 150, stores data segments 512 of the read user data in the first buffer 510, and then provides the data segments 512 to the host 102.

Furthermore, the controller 130 performs command operations corresponding to a plurality of commands entered from the host 102, for example, erase operations corresponding to a plurality of erase commands entered from the host 102. In particular, the controller 130 identifies memory blocks corresponding to the erase commands among the memory blocks of the memory device 150 to carry out the erase operations for the identified memory blocks.

In the case of performing an operation of copying data or swapping data among the memory blocks in the memory device 150, for example, a garbage collection operation, a read reclaim operation or a wear leveling operation, as a background operation, the controller 130 stores data segments 512 of corresponding user data, in the first buffer 510, loads map segments 522, 524 of map data corresponding to the user data in the second buffer 520, and then performs the garbage collection operation, the read reclaim operation or the wear leveling operation. In the case of performing a map update operation and a map flush operation for metadata, e.g., map data, for the memory blocks of the memory device 150 as a background operation, the controller 130 loads the corresponding map segments 522, 524 in the second buffer 520, and then performs the map update operation and the map flush operation.

As aforementioned, in the case of performing functions and operations including a foreground operation and a background operation for the memory device 150, the controller 130 assigns identifiers by the functions and operations to be performed for the memory device 150. The controller 130 schedules queues respectively corresponding to the functions and operations assigned with the identifiers, respectively. The controller 130 allocates memory regions, corresponding to the respective queues, to the memory 144 in the controller 130 and the memory in the host 102. The controller 130 manages the identifiers assigned to the respective functions and operations, the queues scheduled for the respective identifiers and the memory regions allocated to the memory 144 of the controller 130 and the memory of the host 102 corresponding to the queues, respectively. The controller 130 performs the functions and operations for the memory device 150, through the memory regions allocated to the memory 144 of the controller 130 and the memory of the host 102.

Referring to FIG. 5, the memory device 150 includes a plurality of memory dies, for example, a memory die 0, a memory die 1, a memory die 2 and a memory die 3, and each of the memory dies includes a plurality of planes, for example, a plane 0, a plane 1, a plane 2 and a plane 3. The respective planes in the memory dies in the memory device 150 include a plurality of memory blocks, for example, N blocks: Block0, Block1, . . . , BlockN−1, each including a plurality of pages, for example, 2^(M) number of pages, as described above with reference to FIG. 3. Moreover, the memory device 150 includes a plurality of buffers corresponding to the respective memory dies, for example, a buffer 0 corresponding to the memory die 0, a buffer 1 corresponding to the memory die 1, a buffer 2 corresponding to the memory die 2 and a buffer 3 corresponding to the memory die 3.

In the case of performing command operations corresponding to a plurality of commands received from the host 102, data corresponding to the command operations are stored in the buffers included in the memory device 150. For example, in the case of performing program operations, data corresponding to the program operations are stored in the buffers, and are then stored in the pages included in the memory blocks of the memory dies. In the case of performing read operations, data corresponding to the read operations are read from the pages in the memory blocks of the memory dies, are stored in the buffers, and are then provided to the host 102 through the controller 130.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the buffers in the memory device 150 are disposed externally to their respective memory dies. In another embodiment, the buffers may be disposed within their respective memory dies. Moreover, the buffers may correspond to their respective planes or their respective memory blocks in their respective memory dies. Further, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the buffers in the memory device 150 are the plurality of page buffers 322, 324 and 326 in the memory device 150 as described above with reference to FIG. 3. In another embodiment, the buffers may be a plurality of caches or a plurality of registers included in the memory device 150.

Also, the plurality of memory blocks included in the memory device 150 may be grouped into a plurality of super memory blocks, and command operations may be performed in the plurality of super memory blocks. Each of the super memory blocks may include a group of the plurality of memory blocks, for example, memory blocks in a first memory block group may form a first super memory block, and memory blocks in a second memory block group may form a second super memory block. In this regard, in the case where the first memory block group is included in the first plane of a first memory die, the second memory block group may be included in the first plane of the first memory die, be included in the second plane of the first memory the or be included in the planes of a second memory die.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a data processing system may include plural memory systems. Each of the plural memory systems 110 can include the controller 130 and the memory device 150. In the data processing system, one of the plural memory systems 110 can be a master and each of the others can be a slave. For example, master may be determined based on contention (e.g., arbitration and conflict avoidance, or competition for resources) between the plural memory systems 110. When a plurality of commands is delivered from the host 102 in the data processing system, the master can determine a destination of each command based at least on statuses of channels or buses. For example, a first memory system can be determined as a master memory system among a plurality of memory systems, corresponding to information (e.g., operational status) delivered from the plurality of memory systems. If the first memory system is determined as the master memory system, the remaining memory systems are considered slave memory systems. A controller of the master memory system can check statuses of a plurality of channels (or ways, buses) coupled to a plurality of memory systems to select which memory system handles commands or data delivered from the host 102. In an embodiment, a master can be dynamically determined among the plural memory systems. In another embodiment, the master memory system, among the plurality of memory systems, may be changed periodically or according to an event. That is, the current master memory system may later become a slave memory system, and one of the slave memory systems may become the master memory system.

Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for transferring data in the memory system 110 including the memory system 150 and the controller 130 described above will be described in more detail. As the amount of data stored in the memory system 110 becomes larger, the memory system 110 may be required to read or store large amounts of data at a time. However, a read time for reading a data stored in the memory device 150 or a program/write time for writing a data in the memory device 150 may be generally longer than a handling time for the controller 130 to process data or a data transmission time between the controller 130 and the memory system 150. For example, the read time might be twice that of the handling time. Since the read time or the program time is significantly longer than the handling time or the data transmission time, a procedure or a process for delivering data in the memory system 110 may affect performance of the memory system 110, e.g., operation speed, and/or structure of the memory system 110 such as a buffer size.

In FIG. 6, a host 10 and a memory system 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure are described. The host 10, the memory system 20 and other components can be constituted as a data processing system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In a computing device or a mobile device embedded with the memory system 20, the memory system 20 is engaged with the host 10 to exchange data.

Referring to FIG. 6, the memory system 20 can include a controller 30 and a memory device 40. The controller 30 receives and outputs data, requested from the host 10, from the memory device 40 or stores the data transferred from the host 10 into the memory device 40 in order to perform command operations requested from the host 10. The memory device 40 includes a plurality of memory cells capable of storing data. Here, the internal configuration of the memory device 40 can be changed in accordance with the characteristics of the memory device 40, the purposes for which the memory system 20 is used, the specifications of the memory system 20 required by the host 10, or the like. For example, the memory device 150 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and the memory device 40 of FIG. 6 may include the same components. In addition, the controller 130 described in FIGS. 1 through 5 and the controller 30 shown in FIG. 6 may include the same components.

The controller 30 may include at least one processor 34, a host interface 36, a buffer 28, and a controller interface 32. The processor 34, for command operations within the controller 30, can play a role similar to that of a CPU used in a computing device. The host interface 36 is for data communication between the memory system 20 and the host 10, while the controller interface 32 is for data communication between the memory device 40 and the controller 30. The memory 38 temporarily stores the data and operation status required during operations performed by the processor 34, the host interface 36 and the controller interface 32. Or, the memory 38 can temporarily store I/O data between the memory device 40 and the host 10. The internal configuration of the above-described controller 30 may be a kind of functional modules, each capable of performing an operation, a task, or the like which is handled or processed by the controller.

In accordance with an embodiment, the physical configuration of the controller 30 may be composed of at least one processor, at least one memory, at least one input/output port, and a wiring for electrical connection between the above-mentioned components.

The controller 30 and the memory device 40 can exchange a metadata and a user data with each other. Here, the user data includes data to be stored by a user through the host 10, and the metadata includes system information (e.g., map data and the like) necessary for storing and managing the user data in the memory device 40. The user data and the meta data can be processed or managed in different ways in the controller 30 because their properties are different from each other.

As a storage capacity of the memory device 40 increases, the amount of status information and the like also increases. Such status information can include system information, map information, and/or operation information necessary for operations such as reading, programming, and erasing data within a plurality of dies, a plurality of blocks, or a plurality of pages included in the memory device 40. It is difficult for the controller 30 to store all the status information and the like in the memory 38. Thus, the system information, the map information, the operation information, and the like for operation such as reading, programming, erasing, etc., may be stored in the memory device 40, as well as user data. The controller 30 may load, from the plurality of dies, blocks in the memory device 40, some information necessary for operations such as reading, programming, or deleting data in a plurality of pages from the memory device 40, and then re-stores the updated information in the memory device 40 after the corresponding operation is completed.

Although not shown, as the number of memory cells capable of storing data in the memory device 40 increases, the internal structure of the memory device 40 can become more complicated. The controller 30 may transmit or receive connection information according to the internal configuration of the memory device 40 together with the data. For example, in a case when a plurality of dies is included in the memory device 40 as shown in FIG. 6, there are n channels and m ways (n, m is an integer larger than 1) between the controller 30 and the memory device 40. The data and the connection information may be transferred via the n channels and the m ways. However, in order for the controller 30 to read or write data to the memory device 40, additional control variables or control signals may be needed depending on the internal structure of the memory device 40. As more dies are included in the memory device 40, additional information required for performing operations becomes larger.

For example, the host 10 and the memory system 20 can exchange commands, addresses, data, and the like with each other, according to a protocol, a system communication method, or an interface. Thus, the host 10 may not need to be aware of the specific structure within the memory system 20. When the host 10 stores a specific data to the memory system 20 or attempts to read data stored in the memory system 20, the host 10 sends a logical block address (LBA). Here, the logical block address (LBA) may be a format used to specify the location of a data block to be stored in a storage device. For example, in the case of a conventional hard disk, an addressing method indicating a physical structure included in a hard disk, such as a cylinder, a head, and a sector (Cylinder-Head-Sector, CHS) was used. However, the address system corresponding to the physical structure of the hard disk has reached the limit as the storage capacity of the hard disk increases. In such a large-capacity storage device, the address can be specified in a manner that the sectors are arranged in a logical sequence in a row, and the sectors are numbered (for example, in order from 0), regardless of the physical structure of the hard disk. Instead of the host 10 transferring or pointing data only to the logical block address (LBA), the controller 30 in the memory system 20 may store and manage the physical address, which is the address in the memory device 40 where the actual data is stored. It is necessary to match and manage the logical block address (LBA) used by the host 10. Such information may be included in a metadata and may be distinguished from user data stored or read by the host 10.

As the amount of data that can be stored in the memory device 40 increases, efficient management of metadata may be required. Also, as the size of the plurality of blocks included in the memory device 40 increases, the amount of data that can be stored increases as well as the amount of metadata also increases. This increases the resources (e.g., time) required to maintain and manage the stored data in the memory device 40 so that the apparatus and method for increasing the operational efficiency, stability, or reliability of the memory system 20 may be required.

In accordance with an embodiment, the memory system 20 may include a memory device 40 that includes a plurality of blocks capable of storing data. In addition, the memory system 20 can the controller 30 configured to divide each block into a plurality of logical unit blocks. The controller 30 can compare a valid page count of the block with the number of pieces of map data of each logical unit block, check whether the map data is duplicated in a reverse order of programming data in the block, and delete or nullify old duplicated map data. In this description, the map data may be duplicated when a piece of data corresponding to a single logical address is programmed at physical locations corresponding to different physical addresses. The controller 30 can generate a piece of map data whenever a piece of data is programmed in a specific storage area, e.g., a page, of the memory device 40. The single logical address mapped to different physical addresses within a logical unit block represents that data of that single logical address is stored in a storage area (e.g., a page) of a former physical address and then other data associated with that single logical address is stored in another storage area of a latter physical address within the logical unit block. When a piece of map data for a logical unit block is duplicated, a single logical address of two or more pieces of the map data is mapped to different physical addresses within those pieces. A procedure for comparing, verifying and deleting by the controller 30 to adjust the map data may be performed in a specific block having a state in which data can no longer be written to that block without an erase operation (for example, closed state).

The controller 30 can compare the valid page count with the number of pieces of map data when plural program operations with different data corresponding to a same logical block address is repeatedly required by commands entered from the host 10. In accordance with an embodiment, each of plural memory blocks in the memory device 40 may be stored sequentially from first to last pages therein. Herein, a block is a unit in which an erase operation is performed. At least two logical unit blocks may be included in a block. The logical unit block may be a minimum unit to which map data is allocated or managed together. Here, the map data may include information (Physical to Logical, P2L) used for associating a physical address, assigned in each block unit, with a logical address used by the host 102.

FIG. 7 shows a method for managing metadata, which can be performed by a controller of the memory system. In FIG. 7, the host 10 may transfer a command to the memory system 20 (see FIG. 6) to repeatedly program data associated with the same logical block address (LBA). The memory device 40 in the memory system 20 can include a non-volatile memory device (e.g., flash memory, etc.). If the memory system 20 can write or program data to a specified physical location and then overwrite other data, the memory system 20 can repeatedly overwrite different data entered from the host 10 with the same logical block address (LBA) at the same location of the memory device 40. However, in the non-volatile memory device (e.g., flash memory, etc.) such as the memory device 40 of memory system 20, it is not possible to overwrite data at the same location and therefore the data must be programmed at a new (different) location.

Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 30 may receive data, a logical block address, and a program command transmitted from the host 10. The controller 30 may convert the logical block address into a physical block address in response to the program command (52). Here, the logical block address received by the controller 30 may be a logical address or a logical block address (LBA) which the host 10 recognizes and uses. For example, the logical address is an indicator for identifying one of sectors, spaces or areas sequentially arranged in a whole user data storage. For example, a specific logical block address (LBA) can be converted into a physical block address BLK_3 included in the memory device 40 of the memory system. By way of example but not limitation, such address translation may be achieved by firmware that implements the flash translation layer (FTL) described above.

As the memory system becomes a larger amount of user data, each block (e.g., BLK_3) has a larger size. Accordingly, a memory block (e.g., BLK_3) in the memory device 40 can be divided into a plurality of logical unit blocks LUB_0, LUB_1, . . . , LUB_n−1, LUB_n (54). Some operation can be controlled or managed on a basis of logical unit block by logical unit block. For example, the block BLK_3 may include a ‘n’ number of logical unit blocks LUB_0, LUB_1, . . . , LUB_n−1, LUB_n. Here, ‘n’ is a natural number of 2 or more. Each logical unit block (e.g., LUB_1) may include a ‘m’ number of pages PG_0, PG_1, . . . , PG−1, PG_m, where m is a natural number of 2 or more.

In accordance with an embodiment, individual map data may be assigned or allocated to each logical unit block. In an embodiment, a physical to logical (P2L) mapping table for matching a physical address corresponding to each logical unit block with a logical address can be generated to determine whether data stored in each of plural pages included in a logical unit block is valid.

FIG. 8 illustrates map data stored in the memory system. In FIG. 8, it might be assumed that data corresponding to a logical address is repeatedly programmed in a specific block BLK_3. Herein, the block BLK_3 in the memory device 40 can include five logical unit blocks LUB_0 to LUB_4.

For example, as described in FIG. 7, when the host 10 transmits commands into the memory system 20 for repeatedly programming plural data corresponding the same logical block address (LBA), the plural data corresponding to the LBA can be programmed many times in an order from the first unit block LUB_0 to the last unit block LUB_4 included in the block BLK_3 which is an open block in the memory device 40. Data can be sequentially written from first to last pages of any block (e.g., BLK_3) in the memory device. When data is written to the last page or last unit block LUB_4, the block BLK_3 becomes a closed state in which data cannot be written any more without an erase operation. Although not shown, the controller 30 (see FIG. 6) can sequentially write other data to a next free block or an open block when data is programmed at all pages of the block BLK_3.

When the block BLK_3 becomes a state in which data can be written no longer, the controller 30 can check, examine or analyze an operation information item 58 regarding the block BLK_3. The controller 30 can recognize a valid page count (VPC) which indicates the number of pages storing valid data among all pages included in the block BLK_3. In addition, the controller 30 can check how many pieces of map data assigned to each of the plurality of logical unit blocks LUB_0 to LUB_4 of the block BLK_3 are valid. For example, the valid page count (VPC) of the block BLK_3 is 200, a map data count of the first logical block LUB_0 is 40, a map data count of the second logical block LUB_1 is 80, a map data count of the fourth logical block LUB_2 is 10, a map data count of the fourth logical block LUB_3 is 50, and a map data count of the fifth logical block LUB_4 is 60. In this description, the map data count of a logical unit block is the number of pieces of the map data, each piece representing mapping relationship between a logical address and a physical address within the logical unit block.

In this case, the valid page count (VPC) in the block BLK_3 is 200, but the number of valid map data corresponding to the first to fifth logical blocks LUB_0 to LUB_4 can be 240 (=40+80+10+50+60). That is, 40 pieces of the map data in the block BLK_3 may be invalid or do not need to be stored. Occurrence of invalid map data is attributed to characteristics of non-volatile memory device which is not support overwriting. When instructions that repeatedly programs plural data for the same logical block address (LBA) are entered from the host 10 (See FIG. 6), the last data can be valid but old data may be invalid though the last one and old data are stored in different locations of the same block. Since the memory device 40 does not support overwriting, newly delivered data must be programmed into a new page, but a logical address of a piece of the map data corresponding to the to-be-programmed data may be duplicated with a logical address of another piece of the map data corresponding to previously programmed data. For example, there are duplicated logical address values “4C1” in the map data LUB_1 P2L regarding the second logical block LUB_1. The latest data between stored data is valid, but old data is no longer valid. Since the latest data is closer to the last page in the block BLK_3 and old data is closer to the first page, the controller 30 can determine which one is invalid or unnecessary when there are duplicated address values.

FIG. 9 shows a method executed or performed by the controller for controlling map data. In FIG. 9, description is in the context of the operation information item 58 described in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS, 8 and 9, when new data can no longer be programmed in the block BLK_3, the controller 30 can recognize that forty pieces of map data regarding the block BLK_3 are invalid. The controller 30 can control the block BLK_3 by dividing the block BLK_3 into five logical unit blocks LUB_0 to LUB_4. The valid page count VPC of the block BLK_3 is 200. It can be estimated that 40 pieces of valid data are programmed on average in each unit block by simply dividing the valid page count (VPC=200) by the number of logical unit blocks (e.g., “5”). The controller 30 can compare the estimated average value (e.g., “40”) with map data counts of each logical unit block to recognize which logical unit block, among logical unit blocks in the block BLK_3, has the largest difference. Particularly, the greater difference between the map data count of a logical unit block and the average value, the higher possibility that the overlapped data is stored in the corresponding logical unit block. Referring to FIG. 9, in the block BLK_3, a logical unit block having the greatest difference between its map data count and the average value may be the second unit block LUB_1.

Referring to FIG. 9, the controller 30 may remove a redundant piece of map data regarding the second unit block LUB_1. The map data LUB_1 P2L can have a format or a data structure for storing several address values corresponding to each page included in the second unit block LUB_1 in a regular sequence. In FIG. 8, the duplicated address values “4C1” are included in the map data LUB_1 P2L regarding the second logical block LUB_1. In FIG. 9, at least one old address value of the duplicated address values, which can be closer to a first location, may be deleted or nullified (Void/Null). These operations can be referred to as an unmapping or an unmap operation. Through this method, the map data count of the second logical block LUB_1 can be reduced from “80” (see FIGS. 8) to “50” (see FIG. 9). In the block BLK_3, the total number of valid map data can be reduced from “240” to “210,” which is closer to the valid page count (VPC=200).

The controller 30 can program the operation information item 58 adjusted in the manner described above in the memory device 40. For example, when an operation for unmapping one or more pieces of the map data is completed, the controller 30 may store the operation information item 58 including the adjusted map data in another block physically distinguished from the data stored in the block.

Whenever a specific block (e.g., BLK_3) in the memory device 40 is no longer able to program new data, the controller can analyze and adjust the operation information item 58 for that block so that valid data in that block can be more easily specified later because invalid data might be already unmapped. Knowing which page in a specific block includes valid data can reduce a burden for a background operation of wear leveling or garbage collection performed by the memory system. Through this method, the memory system can secure operation margin for other operations more easily.

As described above, an apparatus for controlling a non-volatile memory device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one processor and at least one memory. When repeated program operations for the same logical block address are required corresponding to instructions transferred from the host, the processor can control the nonvolatile memory device in a manner described above. Specifically, at least one processor can be configured to divide each of memory blocks in the memory device, corresponding to logical block addresses, into a plurality of logical unit blocks, to compare an estimated average value obtained from a valid page count of the memory block with a map data count of each logical unit block in the memory block, to check whether a piece of map data is duplicated in a reverse direction of the order in which data is written in the memory block, and to unmap an old piece of duplicated map data.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of operating a memory system in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10, an operation method of the memory system can include a step 82 of dividing each of a plurality of blocks, which are capable of storing data, into a plurality of logical unit blocks. Plural pieces of data can be stored or programmed sequentially in each of the blocks.

The operation method of the memory system can include a step 84 of comparing an estimated average value obtained from a valid page count of a specific block with a map data count of each unit block included in the specific block, a step 86 of determining whether a comparison result is a set difference, e.g., a predetermined threshold, a step 88 of checking whether plural pieces of map data are duplicated or overlapped with each other in a reverse direction of a data program order based on determination, and a step 90 of unmapping or deleting old one(s) of duplicated or overlapped map data. For example, the map data may include plural pieces of map data (e.g., LUB_1 P2L) corresponding to each logical unit block (e.g., LUB_1) included in the operation information item 58 described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Although not shown, the operation method of the memory system may further comprise a step of determining whether or not new data can be written to the specific block. For example, in a free block where no data is currently programmed, it is not necessary to adjust or control the operation information item 58 regarding that block. Further, when a block is in an open state, new data can be further programmed in that block so that, even if the operation information item 58 might be adjusted, it may be necessary to re-adjust the operation information item 58 after that block is closed. Thus, the operation method of the memory system can be adjusted by analyzing the operation information item 58 when the block is in a closed state. Thus, the comparing step 84 may be performed when a subject block is in a state where no more data can be written or programmed to that block in the memory device.

In a block in a memory device, a piece of data may be stored sequentially from the first page to the last page of the block. The block includes at least two logical unit blocks. The block can be a distinct group of memory cells that are erasable together as a unit. The logical unit block can be identified by the number of pieces of map data (e.g., Physical to Logical (P2L) map data) stored therein. Each map data can be assigned, managed or controlled to a distinct group of memory cells that are programmable together as a unit. In accordance with an embodiment, a block in a memory device may be a unit in which an erase operation is performed, and a unit block including at least two blocks in a block may be a minimum unit in which map data is allocated.

Although not shown, the operation method of the memory system may further include a step of storing the adjusted map data in a block physically distinct from another block programmed with the user data after the unmapping step 90. The memory system can more easily determine whether a piece of data stored in the block is valid based at least on the stored map data.

The step 86 of determining whether the comparison result is larger than a threshold may include comparing a value obtained by dividing the valid page count by the number of logical unit blocks and checking a difference between the average value and the map data count of each logical unit block. In order to unmap or delete duplicated or overlapped map data in a conventional memory system, it may take a lot of time to compare all different types of map data regarding the block with each other. However, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, after dividing a block into a plurality of logical unit blocks, the comparing step 84 is preferentially performed to identify a logical unit block which has a higher possibility of duplicated or overlapped map data so that a time required to search for valid data for garbage collection can be reduced and operation efficiency can be enhanced. For example, in the operation method of the memory system, if a map data count regarding a specific logical unit block is larger than or equal to the average value obtained by dividing the valid page count of the block by the number of logical unit blocks, the checking step 88 of searching for duplicated or overlapped map data may be performed. On the other hand, in the operation method of the memory system, if the map data count of a logical block is smaller than the average value, the checking step 88 of searching for duplicated or overlapped map data may not be performed.

In accordance with an embodiment, it is also possible to perform the step 88 of searching for duplicated or overlapped map data on only a single logical unit block having the highest possibility among the plurality of logical unit blocks included in the block. Alternatively, it is possible to perform the step 88 on more than one logical unit block in an order of highest to lowest probability of having duplicated or overlapped map data among the logical unit blocks identified to be searched.

In FIG. 11, another example of the data processing system including the memory system in accordance with an embodiment is shown. FIG. 11 schematically illustrates a memory card system to which the memory system is applied.

Referring to FIG. 11, the memory card system 6100 may include a memory controller 6120, a memory device 6130 and a connector 6110.

The memory controller 6120 may be connected to the memory device 6130 embodied as a nonvolatile memory. The memory controller 6120 may be configured to access the memory device 6130. By way of example but not limitation, the memory controller 6120 may be configured to control read, write, erase and background operations of the memory device 6130. The memory controller 6120 may be configured to provide an interface between the memory device 6130 and a host, and use firmware for controlling the memory device 6130. That is, the memory controller 6120 may correspond to the controller 130 of the memory system 110 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, and the memory device 6130 may correspond to the memory device 150 of the memory system 110 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5.

Thus, the memory controller 6120 may include a RAM, a processor, a host interface, a memory interface and an error correction unit. The memory controller 130 may further include the elements shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The memory controller 6120 may communicate with an external device, for example, the host 102 of FIG. 1 through the connector 6110. For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the memory controller 6120 may be configured to communicate with an external device under one or more of various communication protocols, such as universal serial bus (USB), multimedia card (MMC), embedded MMC (eMMC), peripheral component interconnection (PCI), PCI express (PCIe), Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Serial-ATA, Parallel-ATA, small computer system interface (SCSI), enhanced small disk interface (EDSI), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), Firewire, universal flash storage (UFS), WIFI and Bluetooth. Thus, the memory system and the data processing system may be applied to wired/wireless electronic devices, particularly mobile electronic devices.

The memory device 6130 may be implemented by a nonvolatile memory. For example, the memory device 6130 may be implemented by any of various nonvolatile memory devices, such as an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a NAND flash memory, a NOR flash memory, a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a resistive RAM (ReRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) and a spin torque transfer magnetic RAM (STT-RAM). The memory device 6130 may include a plurality of dies as in the memory device 150 of FIG. 5.

The memory controller 6120 and the memory device 6130 may be integrated into a single semiconductor device. For example, the memory controller 6120 and the memory device 6130 may construct a solid state driver (SSD) by being integrated into a single semiconductor device. In another embodiment, the memory controller 6120 and the memory device 6130 may construct a memory card, such as a PC card (PCMCIA: Personal Computer Memory Card International Association), a compact flash (CF) card, a smart media card (e.g., a SM and a SMC), a memory stick, a multimedia card (e.g., a MMC, a RS-MMC, a MMCmicro and an eMMC), an SD card (e.g., a SD, a miniSD, a microSD and a SDHC) and/or a universal flash storage (UFS).

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the data processing system including the memory system in accordance with an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the data processing system 6200 may include a memory device 6230 having one or more nonvolatile memories and a memory controller 6220 for controlling the memory device 6230. The data processing system 6200 illustrated in FIG. 12 may serve as a storage medium such as a memory card (CF, SD, micro-SD or the like) or USB device, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The memory device 6230 may correspond to the memory device 150 in the memory system 110 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. The memory controller 6220 may correspond to the controller 130 in the memory system 110 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5.

The memory controller 6220 may control a read, write or erase operation on the memory device 6230 in response to a request of the host 6210. The memory controller 6220 may include one or more CPUs 6221, a buffer memory such as RAM 6222, an ECC circuit 6223, a host interface 6224 and a memory interface such as an NVM interface 6225.

The CPU 6221 may control overall operations on the memory device 6230, for example, read, write, file system management and bad page management operations. The RAM 6222 may be operated according to control of the CPU 6221. The RAM 6222 may be used as a work memory, buffer memory or cache memory. When the RAM 6222 is used as a work memory, data processed by the CPU 6221 may be temporarily stored in the RAM 6222. When the RAM 6222 is used as a buffer memory, the RAM 6222 may be used for buffering data transmitted to the memory device 6230 from the host 6210 or transmitted to the host 6210 from the memory device 6230. When the RAM 6222 is used as a cache memory, the RAM 6222 may assist the memory device 6230 to operate at high speed.

The ECC circuit 6223 may correspond to the ECC unit 138 of the controller 130 illustrated in FIG. 1. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the ECC circuit 6223 may generate an ECC (Error Correction Code) for correcting a fail bit or error bit of data provided from the memory device 6230. The ECC circuit 6223 may perform error correction encoding on data provided to the memory device 6230, thereby forming data with a parity bit. The parity bit may be stored in the memory device 6230. The ECC circuit 6223 may perform error correction decoding on data outputted from the memory device 6230. The ECC circuit 6223 may correct an error using the parity bit. For example, as described with reference to FIG. 1, the ECC circuit 6223 may correct an error using the LDPC code, BCH code, turbo code, Reed-Solomon code, convolution code, RSC or coded modulation such as TCM or BCM.

The memory controller 6220 may exchange data with the host 6210 through the host interface 6224. The memory controller 6220 may exchange data with the memory device 6230 through the NVM interface 6225. The host interface 6224 may be connected to the host 6210 through a PATA bus, SATA bus, SCSI, USB, PCIe or NAND interface. The memory controller 6220 may have a wireless communication function with a mobile communication protocol such as WiFi or Long Term Evolution (LTE). The memory controller 6220 may be connected to an external device, for example, the host 6210 or another external device, and then exchange data with the external device. Particularly, as the memory controller 6220 is configured to communicate with the external device through one or more of various communication protocols, the memory system and the data processing system may be applied to wired/wireless electronic devices, particularly a mobile electronic device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the data processing system including the memory system in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 13 schematically illustrates an SSD to which the memory system is applied.

Referring to FIG. 13, the SSD 6300 may include a controller 6320 and a memory device 6340 including a plurality of nonvolatile memories. The controller 6320 may correspond to the controller 130 in the memory system 110 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The memory device 6340 may correspond to the memory device 150 in the memory system of FIGS. 1 and 5.

More specifically, the controller 6320 may be connected to the memory device 6340 through a plurality of channels CH1 to CHi. The controller 6320 may include one or more processors 6321, a buffer memory 6325, an ECC circuit 6322, a host interface 6324 and a memory interface, for example, a nonvolatile memory interface 6326.

The buffer memory 6325 may temporarily store data provided from the host 6310 or data provided from a plurality of flash memories NVM included in the memory device 6340, or temporarily store meta data of the plurality of flash memories NVM, for example, map data including a mapping table. The buffer memory 6325 may be embodied by volatile memories such as DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, LPDDR SDRAM and GRAM or nonvolatile memories such as FRAM, ReRAM, STT-MRAM and PRAM. FIG. 13 illustrates that the buffer memory 6325 is disposed in the controller 6320. However, in another embodiment, the buffer memory 6325 may be a separate component disposed externally to the controller 6320.

The ECC circuit 6322 may calculate an ECC value of data to be programmed to the memory device 6340 during a program operation. The ECC circuit 6322 may perform an error correction operation on data read from the memory device 6340 based on the ECC value during a read operation. The ECC circuit 6322 may perform an error correction operation on data recovered from the memory device 6340 during a failed data recovery operation.

The host interface 6324 may provide an interface function with an external device, for example, the host 6310. The nonvolatile memory interface 6326 may provide an interface function with the memory device 6340 connected through the plurality of channels.

Furthermore, a plurality of SSDs 6300 to which the memory system 110 of FIGS. 1 and 5 is applied may be provided to embody a data processing system, for example, RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) system. The RAID system may include the plurality of SSDs 6300 and a RAID controller for controlling the plurality of SSDs 6300. When the RAID controller performs a program operation in response to a write command provided from the host 6310, the RAID controller may select one or more memory systems or SSDs 6300 according to a plurality of RAID levels, that is, RAID level information of the write command provided from the host 6310 in the SSDs 6300. The RAID controller may output data corresponding to the write command to the selected SSDs 6300. Furthermore, when the RAID controller performs a read operation in response to a read command provided from the host 6310, the RAID controller may select one or more memory systems or SSDs 6300 according to a plurality of RAID levels, that is, RAID level information of the read command provided from the host 6310 in the SSDs 6300. The RAID controller may provide data read from the selected SSDs 6300 to the host 6310.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the data processing system including the memory system in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 14 schematically illustrates an embedded Multi-Media Card (eMMC) to which the memory system is applied.

Referring to FIG. 14, the eMMC 6400 may include a controller 6430 and a memory device 6440 embodied by one or more NAND flash memories. The controller 6430 may correspond to the controller 130 in the memory system 110 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The memory device 6440 may correspond to the memory device 150 in the memory system 110 of FIGS. 1 and 5.

More specifically, the controller 6430 may be connected to the memory device 6440 through a plurality of channels. The controller 6430 may include one or more cores 6432, a host interface 6431 and a memory interface, for example, a NAND interface 6433.

The core 6432 may control overall operations of the eMMC 6400. The host interface 6431 may provide an interface function between the controller 6430 and the host 6410. The NAND interface 6433 may provide an interface function between the memory device 6440 and the controller 6430. For example, the host interface 6431 may serve as a parallel interface, for example, MMC interface as described with reference to FIG. 1. Furthermore, the host interface 6431 may serve as a serial interface, for example, UHS ((Ultra High Speed)-I/UHS-II) interface.

FIGS. 15 to 18 are diagrams schematically illustrating other examples of the data processing system including the memory system in accordance with embodiments. FIGS. 15 to 19 schematically illustrate UFS (Universal Flash Storage) systems to which the memory system is applied.

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18, the UFS systems 6500, 6600, 6700, 6800 may include hosts 6510, 6610, 6710, 6810, UFS devices 6520, 6620, 6720, 6820 and UFS cards 6530, 6630, 6730, 6830, respectively. The hosts 6510, 6610, 6710, 6810 may serve as application processors of wired/wireless electronic devices, particularly mobile electronic devices, the UFS devices 6520, 6620, 6720, 6820 may serve as embedded UFS devices, and the UFS cards 6530, 6630, 6730, 6830 may serve as external embedded UFS devices or removable UFS cards.

The hosts 6510, 6610, 6710, 6810, the UFS devices 6520, 6620, 6720, 6820 and the UFS cards 6530, 6630, 6730, 6830 in the respective UFS systems 6500, 6600, 6700, 6800 may communicate with external devices, for example, wired/wireless electronic devices, particularly mobile electronic devices through UFS protocols, and the UFS devices 6520, 6620, 6720, 6820 and the UFS cards 6530, 6630, 6730, 6830 may be embodied by the memory system 110 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. For example, in the UFS systems 6500, 6600, 6700, 6800, the UFS devices 6520, 6620, 6720, 6820 may be embodied in the form of the data processing system 6200, the SSD 6300 or the eMMC 6400 described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, and the UFS cards 6530, 6630, 6730, 6830 may be embodied in the form of the memory card system 6100 described with reference to FIG. 11.

Furthermore, in the UFS systems 6500, 6600, 6700, 6800, the hosts 6510, 6610, 6710, 6810, the UFS devices 6520, 6620, 6720, 6820 and the UFS cards 6530, 6630, 6730, 6830 may communicate with each other through an UFS interface, for example, MIPI M-PHY and MIPI UniPro (Unified Protocol) in MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface). Furthermore, the UFS devices 6520, 6620, 6720, 6820 and the UFS cards 6530, 6630, 6730, 6830 may communicate with each other through various protocols other than the UFS protocol, for example, an UFDs, a MMC, a SD, a mini-SD, and a micro-SD.

In the UFS system 6500 illustrated in FIG. 15, each of the host 6510, the UFS device 6520 and the UFS card 6530 may include UniPro. The host 6510 may perform a switching operation in order to communicate with the UFS device 6520 and the UFS card 6530. In particular, the host 6510 may communicate with the UFS device 6520 or the UFS card 6530 through link layer switching, for example, L3 switching at the UniPro. The UFS device 6520 and the UFS card 6530 may communicate with each other through link layer switching at the UniPro of the host 6510. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the configuration in which one UFS device 6520 and one UFS card 6530 are connected to the host 6510 is illustrated. However, in another embodiment, a plurality of UFS devices and UFS cards may be connected in parallel or in the form of a star to the host 6410. The form of a star is an arrangement where a single centralized component is coupled to plural devices for parallel processing. A plurality of UFS cards may be connected in parallel or in the form of a star to the UFS device 6520 or connected in series or in the form of a chain to the UFS device 6520.

In the UFS system 6600 illustrated in FIG. 16, each of the host 6610, the UFS device 6620 and the UFS card 6630 may include UniPro, and the host 6610 may communicate with the UFS device 6620 or the UFS card 6630 through a switching module 6640 performing a switching operation, for example, through the switching module 6640 which performs link layer switching at the UniPro, for example, L3 switching. The UFS device 6620 and the UFS card 6630 may communicate with each other through link layer switching of the switching module 6640 at UniPro. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, the configuration in which one UFS device 6620 and one UFS card 6630 are connected to the switching module 6640 is illustrated. However, in another embodiment, a plurality of UFS devices and UFS cards may be connected in parallel or in the form of a star to the switching module 6640, and a plurality of UFS cards may be connected in series or in the form of a chain to the UFS device 6620.

In the UFS system 6700 illustrated in FIG. 17, each of the host 6710, the UFS device 6720 and the UFS card 6730 may include UniPro, and the host 6710 may communicate with the UFS device 6720 or the UFS card 6730 through a switching module 6740 performing a switching operation, for example, through the switching module 6740 which performs link layer switching at the UniPro, for example, L3 switching. The UFS device 6720 and the UFS card 6730 may communicate with each other through link layer switching of the switching module 6740 at the UniPro, and the switching module 6740 may be integrated as one module with the UFS device 6720 inside or outside the UFS device 6720. In the embodiment of FIG. 17, the configuration in which one UFS device 6720 and one UFS card 6730 are connected to the switching module 6740 is illustrated. However, in another embodiment, a plurality of modules each including the switching module 6740 and the UFS device 6720 may be connected in parallel or in the form of a star to the host, 6710 or connected in series or in the form of a chain to each other. Furthermore, a plurality of UFS cards may be connected in parallel or in the form of a star to the UFS device 6720.

In the UFS system 6800 illustrated in FIG. 18, each of the host 6810, the UFS device 6820 and the UFS card 6830 may include M-PHY and UniPro. The UFS device 6820 may perform a switching operation in order to communicate with the host 6810 and the UFS card 6830. In particular, the UFS device 6820 may communicate with the host 6810 or the UFS card 6830 through a switching operation between the M-PHY and UniPro module for communication with the host 6810 and the M-PHY and UniPro module for communication with the UFS card 6830, for example, through a target ID (Identifier) switching operation. The host 6810 and the UFS card 6830 may communicate with each other through target ID switching between the M-PHY and UniPro modules of the UFS device 6820. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the configuration in which one UFS device 6820 is connected to the host 6810 and one UFS card 6830 is connected to the UFS device 6820 is illustrated. However, in another embodiment, a plurality of UFS devices may be connected in parallel or in the form of a star to the host 6810, or connected in series or in the form of a chain to the host 6810, and a plurality of UFS cards may be connected in parallel or in the form of a star to the UFS device 6820, or connected in series or in the form of a chain to the UFS device 6820.

FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of the data processing system including the memory system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating a user system to which the memory system is applied.

Referring to FIG. 19, the user system 6900 may include an application processor 6930, a memory module 6920, a network module 6940, a storage module 6950 and a user interface 6910.

More specifically, the application processor 6930 may drive components included in the user system 6900, for example, an OS, and include controllers, interfaces and a graphics engine which control the components included in the user system 6900. The application processor 6930 may be provided as System-on-Chip (SoC).

The memory module 6920 may be used as a main memory, work memory, buffer memory or cache memory of the user system 6900. The memory module 6920 may include a volatile RAM such as DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, LPDDR SDARM, LPDDR2 SDRAM or LPDDR3 SDRAM or a nonvolatile RAM such as PRAM, ReRAM, MRAM or FRAM. For example, the application processor 6930 and the memory module 6920 may be packaged and mounted, based on POP (Package on Package).

The network module 6940 may communicate with external devices. For example, the network module 6940 may not only support wired communication, but also support various wireless communication protocols such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communication (GSM), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA-2000, time division multiple access (TDMA), long term evolution (LTE), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (Wimax), wireless local area network (WLAN), ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, wireless display (WI-DI), thereby communicating with wired/wireless electronic devices, particularly mobile electronic devices. Therefore, the memory system and the data processing system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, can be applied to wired/wireless electronic devices. The network module 6940 may be included in the application processor 6930.

The storage module 6950 may store data, for example, data received from the application processor 6930, and then may transmit the stored data to the application processor 6930. The storage module 6950 may be embodied by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), a resistive RAM (ReRAM), a NAND flash, a NOR flash and a 3D NAND flash, and provided as a removable storage medium such as a memory card or external drive of the user system 6900. The storage module 6950 may correspond to the memory system 110 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. Furthermore, the storage module 6950 may be embodied as an SSD, an eMMC and an UFS which are described above.

The user interface 6910 may include interfaces for inputting data or commands to the application processor 6930 or outputting data to an external device. For example, the user interface 6910 may include user input interfaces such as a keyboard, a keypad, a button, a touch panel, a touch screen, a touch pad, a touch ball, a camera, a microphone, a gyroscope sensor, a vibration sensor and a piezoelectric element, and user output interfaces such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, an active matrix OLED (AMOLED) display device, an LED, a speaker and a motor.

Furthermore, when the memory system 110 of FIGS. 1 and 5 is applied to a mobile electronic device of the user system 6900, the application processor 6930 may control overall operations of the mobile electronic device. The network module 6940 may serve as a communication module for controlling wired/wireless communication with an external device. The user interface 6910 may display data processed by the processor 6930 on a display/touch module of the mobile electronic device. Further, the user interface 6910 may support a function of receiving data from the touch panel.

In accordance with embodiments described above, a memory system, a data processing system, and an operation method thereof enable comparing a valid data count and map data whenever a specific block is closed and releasing old map data of overlapped map data, so as to significantly reduce a time required to search for, and extract, valid data during garbage collection so that the garbage collection can be performed more quickly in the memory system.

The disclosure provides an embodiment which divides a block capable of storing a large amount of data into a plurality of logical unit blocks. That greatly reduces the range of a data validity check operation for verifying whether the stored data is valid. It may be easier to manage or control performance of garbage collection through valid data search in the memory system. Thus, stability and reliability of the memory system can be improved.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to the specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present disclosure that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory system, comprising: a memory device including plural memory blocks storing a data; and a controller configured to: divide a memory block into plural logical unit blocks; compare an estimated average obtained from a valid page count of the memory block with a map data count of each logical unit block to generate a comparison result and to identify a select logical unit block among the plural logical unit blocks; check whether map data is duplicated in a reverse order of storing data in the selected logical unit block; and unmap old map data of the duplicated map data in the selected logical unit block.
 2. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to perform the compare operation when the memory block is in a state in which no new data is programmed without an erase operation.
 3. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the memory device stores the data sequentially from a first page to a last page of the memory block.
 4. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the map data count is the number of pieces of map data regarding physical to logical (P2L) information which associates a logical address with a physical location in the selected logical unit block.
 5. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the memory block includes a group of memory cells that are erasable together as a unit, and the selected logical unit block is identified by a set number of map data each assigned to a distinct group of memory cells that are programmable together as a unit.
 6. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to store the map data in another memory block, which is physically distinguishable from the memory block, after unmapping the old map data.
 7. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to calculate the estimated average by dividing a valid page count of the memory block by the number of logical unit blocks in the memory block.
 8. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein, when the map data count of a logical unit block is larger than the estimated average, the controller is configured to perform the check and the unmap operations against that logical unit block.
 9. The memory system according to claim 7, wherein, when the map data count of a logical unit block is smaller than or equal to the estimated average, the controller is configured to skip the check and the unmap operations with respect to that logical unit block.
 10. The memory system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the comparison result is larger than the threshold when plural program operations are requested repeatedly regarding a same logical address corresponding to at least one command received from a host.
 11. A method for operating a memory system, comprising: dividing a memory block storing data into plural logical unit blocks; comparing an estimated average obtained from a valid page count of the memory block with a map data count of each logical unit block to generate a comparison result for each logical unit block; determining, for each logical unit block based on the corresponding comparison result, whether the map data count of that logical unit block is larger than a threshold to identify at least one select logical unit block; checking whether map data is duplicated in a reverse order of storing data in the at least one select logical unit block; and unmapping old map data of the duplicated map data in the at least one select logical unit block.
 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising determining whether the memory block is in a closed state in which no new data is programmed without an erase operation.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the data is stored sequentially from a first page to a last page of the memory block containing the at least one select logical unit block, and wherein the comparing step is performed when the memory block becomes in the closed state.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the map data count is the number of pieces of map data regarding physical to logical (P2L) information which associates a logical address with a physical location in the at least one select logical unit block.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the memory block includes a group of memory cells that are erasable together as a unit, and the at least one selected logical unit block is identified by a set number of map data each assigned to a distinct group of memory cells that are programmable together as a unit.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising storing the map data in another memory block, which is physically distinguishable from the memory block, after unmapping the old map data.
 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the comparing the valid page count includes: calculating the estimated average by dividing the valid page count of the memory block by the number of logical unit blocks in the memory block.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, when the map data count of a logical unit block is larger than the estimated average, the checking and the unmapping are performed against that logical unit block.
 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein, when the map data count of a logical unit block is smaller than or equal to the estimated average, the checking and the unmapping are not performed on that logical unit block.
 20. An apparatus for controlling a memory system including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to: divide a memory block storing a data into plural logical unit blocks; compare an estimated average calculated by dividing a valid page count of the memory block by the number of the logical unit blocks with a map data count of each logical unit block to generate a comparison result for each logical unit block; determine, for each logical unit block based on the corresponding comparison result, whether the map data count of that logical unit block is larger than a threshold to identify at least one select logical unit block; check whether map data is duplicated in a reverse order of storing data in the at least one select logical unit block; and unmap old map data of the duplicated map data in the at least one select logical unit block. 